Kevinmc

RE: Next "Meet And Greet" I have not as you yet planned one. I would like a few more to attend, so my question is, what time of day would we get the best numbers to attend? One idea is to do it in shifts so that day shift, swing shift, and grave yard could attend. I was thinking of reserving a party room at Papas Pizza, for pizza and beer/soft drinks. This is a great location because of the large indoor kids play area. I need to know if there is a way to select members from a geographic area, like anyone outside of the Portland area. Like the Eugene area, Salem area to meet here at Pappa's. My goal is 10-20 members to attend, kids are welcome. If you know of a way to do this please let me know. This would be a good idea to do with the club site. I would like to see a directory broken down into areas for quick reference, what is your idea of that? I will plan to post something after the meeting at Jasons tomorrow. It would be a good time to announce this interest to meet in geographic areas to get more interest. Thanks Brandy, hope to see you at Jasons Kevin (laugh)

So, is the concensis not to get clams, I am looking for "water Filters" not looking for anything other then clams to help maintain my tanks water and snad bed. Thanks Kevin

Thanks Guys, and hey neighbor, I just ask because I have never seen one top down, but it is great now. Would it be eating or doing something in the sand bed? So it is okay to put it on the bare bottom, I will try that tonight. Is it common for it to eat my small snails, have been feeding it raw shrimp, about thumb nail size. And it is doing great. I welcome your thoughts and input. Thanks Kevin

Is anyone up, if so can someone tell me how it sleeps, like what position? I am up cleaning hose and put time tamk to sleep for the night, and it is top down, by still moving. Just a question? (scratch) (scratch) (scratch)

I am looking for anyone that has cleaner clams to filter water. These clams are white, gray, or black in color. I am considering adding some to my 90 GAL tank to "help maintain water quality" if they even work, and if not, a few might be fun to look at once in a while. (scratch) I would like to use them to filter the sand bed, (WATER) so far it is clean. I have not been able so far to find anything to fit that need. Thanks

Reply Hey thanks, Well, If you now how much I had into my tank, it would be easy to understand why I went this route. I have $200.00 into my 90 GAL glass tank w/ stand, and 2 canopies, 1 for (CPF, VHO, T-5) and the other for MH w/ overflow box. $200.00 for lights (2 fixtures each with 4 double bulbs, 2 daylight, and 2 actinic blue) for a total of 8 double bulbs 65 watts each. $200.00 for 130 pounds of used live rock and 100+ pounds of used live sand. $70.00 for 45 GAL glass tank (for sump/refugium) $30.00 for used Catalina skimmer with Catalina 1800 pump $30.00 for new Catalina 2300 return pump $16.00 cut 1/4 glass for bubble trap $20.00 1" PVC for skimmer feed and return I don't think that I have a great deal into it, my bulbs are 4 pin oddessy that I will replace later. this was just a fast way to get in. I really have not real complaints, but sounds like many have. I will replace my bulbs in 6 months, or when WAVES has a 50% OFF SALE.......LOL kidding !!!!! My business will go to the lowest offer.....LOL Thanks

I will take it, will be at the meeting Sunday, will you be there?

Thank WAVES I am a new with saltwater an all I have to go on is someones experience, which you can only hope to be correct. I did not know that adding the K rating of 8 12,000K bulbs would ever cause such a debate...LOL. One thing that I could be sure of though, LOL... is that I didn't need to ask if I could add the watts of my bulbs.....LOL. All I now is that in asking the question " what will thrive under my current light", I have been told by several that nothing will without MH or mega T-5's. That being said, I am not looking to compete in lighting, I don't feel the need at this time to buy a million watts of MH for my 90 GAL. I was just asking for information from members as to what will thrive under my lights. I currently have 8 65 watt (CPF) and I am not currently planning to change lighting to T-5, or MH. One thing that I have noticed is that every one has an opinion, just like everyone has an "______". Potato, pototo, I don't know which when it come to kelven rating, if you add it or not. I know that it would make a huge difference if I said, well, I have one 10K one 12K and so on, and not have them match. If that makes a difference then are we not "adding" in some fashion. I apoligize for my stupidity in the Kelven rating, add it, don't add it I just should have said that I have 8 65 watt bulbs. Hey, live and learn (scratch) DOH! Thanks WAVES for the clarification, (clap) your information was very helpful.

I am looking for experience that members have had with different starfish. Are there starfish that do not pose a threat to softies, or coals and that will not eat your live stock. I am just asking the question because, as I was reading and still finding conflicting information. (scratch) I would like to plan for one in the months ahead for my 90 GAL. , but I thought that "live and learn speaks volumes over assuming that one is all knowing. So if you have had a starfish and is "reef Safe" (scratch) then please post your information. Thanks

Sorry about that, the link did not copy. http://www.hawkfish.org/snailman/diycareactor.htm Photo did not copy,

I have CPF 65 Watt each x 8 dual tube bulbs.

Calcium Reactor I built this reactor because I am tired of dosing calcium for my 400 gallon tank. It is a modified version of Larry Maras's (no longer available on-line) design which is a modified version of Sanjay Joshi's design. I guess I can call my version revision 3. I have tried to tell where I got everything it took to build it. I did my best to find the best solution and price for each part. You will notice that it is not a cheap item to build, but it costs far less than a store bought unit of this capacity. The most expensive item is the pump and it is half of the cost. You can save some money here if you like but I am a believer in Iwaki pumps. If you find a better way to do some part of it or a better place to get the parts or tools from, please let me know. If you need help with any part or need a part fabricated, I would be glad to help. I tried to design it so that anyone with a few tools and experience working with PVC could build it. I stayed away from fancy acrylic work which would have cost less but this would increased the necessary skill range and tool requirment. Please read all of the instructions and look at all of the assembly pictures before you start this project to make sure that you have everything you need to complete it. The following abbreviations are used throughout this document and many people ask me what they stand for so I wanted to explain them here to avoid any confusion. NPT -- National Pipe Taper FNPT -- Female National Pipe Taper MNPT -- Male National Pipe Taper Water Distribution Assembly Make two 4 ½" diameter acrylic disks out of ¼" thick acrylic. I used a RotoZip with the RotoZip Circle cutting attachment and it only worked so so. Drill 1/4" holes in each acrylic disk. I used a ¼" Plasdrill to drill the holes. You will have much better luck with the Plasdrill because a normal drill bit has a very high tendency to crack the acrylic disk. Be careful not to drill a hole too close to the edge of the disk because it can crack out even with the Plasdrill. Try to drill at least 24 holes so the pump intake does not starve. Cut two 4 ¼" diameter circles of fiberglass window screen. Click here for a picture of the water distribution plate. Main Chamber Base Assembly Click here for a picture of the main chamber base parts. Cut a 3 3/8" piece of 4" PVC pipe. Glue this piece of 4" PVC pipe into the toilet flange. Glue a 4" PVC coupling onto the 4" PVC pipe. After the glue is dry (24 hours) drill a 15/16" hole for the ¾" NPT tap in the side of the toilet flange. Tap the hole with a ¾" NPT tap. Drill the hole between two of the mounting holes in the toilet flange. Click here for a picture of the assembled main chamber base. Secondary Chamber Base Assembly Click here for a picutre of the secondary chamber base parts. Cut a 3 3/8" piece of 4" PVC pipe. Glue this piece of 4" PVC pipe into the toilet flange. Glue a 4" PVC coupling onto the 4" PVC pipe. After the glue is dry (24 hours) drill a 7/16" hole 2" up from floor level for the 1/4" NPT tap. Tap the hole with the ¼" NPT tap. Drill the hole between two of the mounting holes in the toilet flange. Click here for a picture of the assembled secondary chamber base. Main Chamber Top Assembly Click here for a picture of the main chamber top parts. Glue a 2" x 4" reducer bushing into a 4" coupling. Cut a 2 ½" long piece of 2" PVC pipe. Glue this piece of 2" pipe between the threaded half of a 2" union and the 4" x 2" reducer bushing. Glue a ¾" x 2" bushing in the other half of the 2" union. Cut a 2" long piece of ¾" PVC pipe. Glue this between the ¾" x 2" bushing and one end of a ¾" tee. Glue a ¼" FNPT x ¾" bushing in the other end of this tee. Install the John Guest 1/4" MNPT x 1/4" tubing ball valve in the ¼" FNPT x ¾" bushing. This valve is for burping the main chamber after it has been opened. It is also a place to take a sample of the main reactor loop water for a pH test. Click here for a picture of the assembled main chamber top. Secondary Chamber Top Assembly Click here for a picutre of the secondary chamber top parts. Glue a 2" x 4" reducer bushing in a 4" coupling. Cut a 2 ½" long piece of 2" PVC pipe. Glue this piece of 2" pipe between the threaded end of a 2" union and the 4" x 2" reducer bushing. Glue the ½" x 2" bushing in the other half of the 2" union. Glue the ½"x ¼" FNPT bushing in the ½" end of the ½" x 2" bushing. Assemble the SMC needle valve and the ¼" FNPT x John Guest ¼" tubing fitting. Screw the SMC needle valve into the ¼" FNPT bushing. Click here for a picutre of the assembled secondary chamber top. Upper Circulation Loop Assembly Click here for a picture of the upper circulation loop parts. Cut a piece of ¾" PVC pipe 8 ½" long, 11 ½" long, two pieces 6" long and one piece 1 ½" long. Glue the 1 ½" long piece of PVC pipe between a ¾" male adapter and a ¾" slip x ¾" slip x ½" FNPT tee. Glue one of the 6" long pieces of PVC pipe between that tee and another ¾" slip x ¾" slip x ½" FNPT tee. Glue the other 6" long piece of PVC pipe in the other end of that tee. Glue the 8 ½" long piece of PVC pipe between the ¾" tee on top of the main chamber and a ¾" elbow. Glue the 11 ½" long piece of PVC pipe in the other end of that elbow. Install the compression fitting between the free end of the 11 ½" long piece of PVC pipe and the free end of the 6" long piece of PVC pipe. Install the ½" MNPT x ½" hose barb elbow in the upper threaded tee port and the ½" MNPT x 3/16" hose barb in the lower threaded tee port. Click here for a picture of the assembled upper circulation loop. Lower Circulation Loop Assembly Click here for a picture of the lower circulation loop parts. Cut 4 pieces of ¾" PVC 1 ½" long. Glue the lower circulation assembly together. Install the John Guest ¼" ball valve in the lower tee and the ¼" John Guest ¼" MNPT x hose fitting in the upper tee and the ¾" Norwesco ball valve on the upper male adapter. Install the completed assembly in the main chamber base. Click here for a picture of the assembled lower circulation loop. Bubble Counter Assembly Click here for a picture of the bubble counter parts. Cut two disks of acrylic with the 2 1/4" hole saw. Sand the edges of the disks. Re-drill the center holes with the 7/16" Plasdrill. Tap the holes with the ¼" NPT tap. Pipe taps are tapered so be sure and mark the side of the disk that the tap started on because this will be the outside side. Use Weldon-16 to attach the acrylic end plates to the ends of the 6" long 2" OD acrylic tube. Screw a ¼" MNPT x 3/16" hose barb in one end of the bubble counter. This will be the top. Screw another one in the female end of the check valve and then screw the check valve into the other end of the bubble counter. With the check valve at the base of the bubble counter the CO2 bubbles are a nice uniform size and no water can back up the CO2 line at all. Use teflon sealer or tape on all fittings. Be sure and leak test the bubble counter. Click here for a picture of the assembled bubble counter. Bubble Counter Hanger Assembly Click here for a picture of the bubble counter hanger parts. Cut 2 ½" off of the 1 ½" pipe hangers. Cut 4 ½" off of the 4" pipe hangers. Use any good epoxy for plastic to glue the 1 ½" pipe hanger to the 4" pipe hanger. These two pipe hanger sets will clamp around the main chamber and the bubble counter. Click here for a picture of the assembled bubble counter hanger. CO2 System Assembly Remove the hose barb fitting from the regulator and install the brass ¼" MNPT x 1/8" FNPT reducer in it's place. Install the 1/8" x 2" brass pipe nipple in the reducer. Install the solenoid valve on the other end of the pipe nipple. Install the needle valve in the other side of the solenoid valve. Be sure to install the solenoid valve in the right direction, it has an arrow on it. Install the 1/8" brass coupling on the other end of the needle valve and install the 1/8" MNPT x 3/16" hose barb. I used a check valve in place of this brass coupling in my original design but I ended up moving it to the bottom of the bubble counter so water could not back up in the CO2 hose at all. Use Teflon sealer or tape on all fittings. Click here for a picture of the assembled CO2 system. Finishing Up (Click here for a picture of the completed system) Use Teflon sealer on all CO2 fittings and Teflon tape everywhere else. I know that the PVC manufactures do not recommend this but it has always worked for me. Just make sure that you don't over tighten the fittings. Glue the main and secondary chamber tops and bottoms on the two 24" sections of 4 ½" OD acrylic pipe. Install the pump between the upper and lower circulation loops. Set the two chambers and the pump on the piece of acrylic sheet. Mark the four holes in each chamber base on the acrylic sheet. Drill the eight ¼" holes in the acrylic sheet with the ¼" Plasdrill. Bolt the two chambers and the pump to the acrylic sheet with the nylon bolts and nuts. Run a piece of the ¼" polyethylene tubing between the John Guest fitting in the lower circulation loop and the John Guest fitting in the base of the secondary chamber. Put a piece of the ¼" polyethylene tubing in the John Guest valve on top of the main chamber. This is the burp and water sample line. Put a piece of ¼" polyethylene tubing in the John Guest fitting on the SMC needle valve. This is the calcium reactor output line and should go to your tank or sump. Hook the water supply from a pump to the ½" barb fitting on the bottom circulation loop. Fill the bubble counter with water. Connect the 3/16" ID vinyl tubing between the 3/16" barb fitting on the upper circulation loop and the 3/16" hose barb on the top of the bubble counter. Leaving the CO2 off turn the water supply on. After both chambers fill start the circulation pump. You may need to use the John Guest valve on top of the main chamber to burp the main chamber. Close the SMC needle valve and test the system for leaks. Open the SMC needle valve until the water is dripping out. Let the reactor run like this for at least 24 hours. If all is well turn the water supply off and the circulation pump off and fill the main chamber with SuperCalcGold and the secondary chamber with the Caribsea geo-marine substrate. Open the SMC needle valve all the way and put the output line in a bucket. Start the water supply and the circulation pump. Let the output run into the bucket until the water is clear then close the SMC needle valve down to the desired drip rate. Now turn the CO2 on. You can check for CO2 leaks with soapy water. Set the regulator and Whitey needle valve to about 30 bubbles a minute. Let the system run a few days and keep an eye on the calcium and alkalinity in your tank. You can check the pH of the effluent in the circulation loop by letting some water out of the John Guest valve on the top of the main chamber. Adjust the two needle valves to raise or lower the calcium and alkalinity. Good luck and happy reefing. Construction notes You can use Jaco fittings in place of the John Guest. I list the John Guest Super Speedfit Fittings because I love them and I am not a fan of Jaco fittings. You can cut the water distribution disks with a hole saw or a scroll or band saw. Use whatever you have. www.plumbingsupply.com has very good prices on PVC fittings and better prices on pipe taps than Aquatic Eco Systems but they have an interesting shipping charge rate so make sure that you take that into account when comparing prices. It favors buying everything at once rather than several different orders. They charge $3.50 plus 5% or 8% of the order depending on where you live. You can also check www.savko.com and www.scottys.com for plumbing parts. You will need to put an electrical plug on the Iwaki pump cord because it does not come with one. If you are uncomfortable installing an electrical plug, then please for your own safety get help. De-burr the inside and outside edges of the ends of the PVC pipes so that joints go together well. After you glue something be sure and wait 24 hours before you try and use it. Be very careful putting the PVC primer and glue on the clear acrylic tube because you can wipe it off but it discolors the tube. I left the paper on my tubes until I was almost done so that they did not get scratched up. Different brands of PVC fittings have different depth sockets so you may have to adjust the length of one or two pieces of ¾" PVC pipe in the circulation loop. I made my chambers with 24" lengths of clear acrylic. You can scale this back to 12" or 18" to suit a smaller tank. This may call for a smaller circulation pump also. You can make the acrylic parts out of clear or any other color of acrylic that pleases you. The acrylic that I used in this project was some scrap that I already had on hand. Check your telephone book yellow pages under plastic and you might find a local shop that can help you out with free or very cheap scraps. You might want to install a gate valve between the input water supply and the reactor if the input water has too much pressure. I have found that US Plastics has the best price on gate valves that I have been able to find anywhere and they give good discounts also. If you do not have the equipment to cut the 4 ½" clear acrylic pipe then you can buy it from AES. They will cut it to length for you. They charge a lot more per foot than USP. You may also get help from a local plastic shop. USP is now selling ¼" thick wall extruded acrylic pipe for about twice the price per foot as the 1/8" wall extruded pipe. I have found that if you drill the 15/16" hole with a #20 UniBit first and then finish it with the 15/16" twist drill bit that the hole does not chip out on the outside and grab on the inside like it does using the twist drill alone. I have found a plastic funnel sold by USP that is just great for filling the reactor with media. It has a 10" top and a 1 5/8" neck. It is item #78109 and it is $11.80. The two ¾" Norwesco single union ball valves in the bill of materials are for the pump connections. I use this type of valves on all of our pumps and wherever I need a ball valve. They have female pipe threads FNPT in both ends. What I really like is they do not restrict the flow at all because the ID of the valve is the same as the pipe. They are also very economical. Bill of materials Chamber Base parts list 2 - 4" toilet flange with or without test cap. The best one that I have used is a Genova 75140 4" closet flange with built in test cap. It has a 4 ½" ID so the pipe goes into it. You then stack the 4" coupling on top of it and it works great. This is what you will see in my final system picture. If you can not find it locally you can get it straight from Genova at 1-800-521-7488 extension 1277. They are $4.65 each. 2 - 4" test caps if the 4" toilet flange does not have it built in Lowes $0.69 2 - 4" couplings PSC #429 $2.79 each 1 - ¼" MNPT x John Guest ¼" fitting USP #58152 $1.10 Main Chamber Top parts list 1 - ¼" John Guest ball valve USP #58301 $4.20 1 - ¾" x ¼" FNPT bushing PSC #438 $0.47 1 - ¾" tee PSC #401 $0.21 1 - 2" x ¾" bushing PSC #437 $0.87 1 - 2" slip union PSC #457 $8.66 1 - 4" x 2" reducer bushing PSC #437 $4.58 1 - 4" coupling PSC #429 $2.79 Secondary Chamber Top parts list 1 - ¼" FNPT x John Guest ¼" fitting USP #58274 $2.35 1 - ¼" MNPT SMC needle valve USP #22317 $7.76 1 - ½" x ¼" FNPT bushing PSC #438 $0.43 1 - 2" x ½" bushing PSC #437 $0.87 1 - 2" slip union PSC #457 $8.66 1 - 4" x 2" reducer bushing PSC#437 $4.58 1 - 4" coupling PSC #429 $2.79 Upper Re-circulation Loop parts list 1 - ¾" elbow PSC #406 $0.14 2 - ¾" X ¾" X ½" slip x slip x FNPT tee PSC #402 $0.33 1 - ¾" male adapter PSC #436 $0.15 1 - ¾" 60410 Norwesco single Union ball valve Agri Supply #10192 $5.49 1 - 3/16" hose barb x ½" MNPT AES #62013 $0.42 1 - ½" hose barb x ½" MNPT elbow AES #62087 $0.71 1 - ¾" Lasc-O-Tite coupling USP #26402 $1.81 Lower Re-circulation Loop parts list 2 - ¾" male adapter slip x MNPT PSC #436 $0.15 each 2 - ¾" tees PSC #401 $0.21 each 1 - ¾" elbow PSC #406 $0.14 2 - ¾" slip x ¼" FNPT bushing PSC #438 $0.47 each 1 - ¾" 60410 Norwesco single Union ball valve Agri Supply #10192 $5.49 1 - ¼" MNPT x John Guest 1/4" fitting USP #58152 $1.10 1 - ¼" John Guest cutoff valve USP #58301 $4.20 Bubble Counter parts list 2 - ¼" MNPT x 3/16" barb USP #62005 $0.19 each 1 - ¼" FNPT x 1/4" MNPT check valve USP #22191 $5.40 CO2 System parts list 1 - CO2 regulator A Best Kitchen #REG174X Dual gauge $45.50 1 - brass 1/4" MNPT to 1/8" FNPT reducer Lowes $0.78 1 - 1/8" x 2" brass pipe Lowes $1.08 1 - solenoid valveMarine Depot $49.95 1 - 1/8" Whitey needle valve #B-ORM2 $20.60 1 - 1/8" FNPT brass coupling Lowes $0.82 1 - CO2 cylinder Local welding supply I use a 20lb cylinder and it was $120 full. Miscellaneous parts list 1 - Iwaki MD-RLT20 Marine Depot $129.00 1 - male 120 VAC plug Home Depot/Lowes... 8 - ¼" x 1" nylon bolts AES #TB003N $0.18 each 8 - ¼" nylon nuts AES #TN14N $0.07 each 2 - 4" pipe hangers Home Depot $0.98 each 2 - 1½" pipe hangers Home Depot $0.80 each 1 - 50lb bag of Caribsea Geo-marine for the secondary chamber $19.95 LFS 3 - 15 lb. buckets of SuperCalcGold for the primary chamber Marine Depot $17.50 each 1 - Two sponge pack of Fluval 203 foam LFS or www.thatpetplace.com $2.99 6' acrylic tube 4 ½" OD USP #44547 $35.22 (You will need 2 pieces 30" long out of this.) 6" of 2" PVC pipe 5' of 3/4" PVC pipe 7" of 4" PVC pipe One square foot of 1/4" acrylic sheet for water distribution disks and bubble counter end plates 12" x 24" x ¼" acrylic sheet for reactor base One square foot of fiberglass window screen 10' of ¼" OD polyethylene tubing Home Depot/Lowes... 10' of 3/16" ID vinyl tubing Home Depot/Lowes... Tools (Click here for a picture of the tools that I used for this project) ¼" Plasdrill for drilling acrylic USP # 44635 $5.06 ¼" NPT tap AES # BNT2 $5.60 7/16" Plasdrill for the ¼" NPT tap USP #44638 $13.53 3/4" NPT tap AES # BNT5 $15.45 15/16" drill bit with 1/2" shank for the 3/4" NPT tap McMaster # 29415A51 $24.58 A #5 Unibit will replace the ¼" Plasdrill and the 15/16" drill bit. It also seems to work better. 2 ¼" hole saw Rotozip and bits Rotozip circle cutting tool A handy PVC cutter which works for rigid and flexible PVC up to 1" AES #KT3 $12.80 PVC de-burring tool Supplies (Click here for a picture of the supplies) 1 - can of Teflon sealer AES #370 $5.50 for sealing the CO2 threaded fittings. 1 - can of clear PVC primer Home Depot/Lowes... 1 - can of PVC glue Home Depot/Lowes... 1 - container of Goo Gone (for removing labels and adhesive from PVC fittings) Home Depot/Lowes... 1 - 5oz. tube of Weldon-16 USP #44629 $5.18 DIY Calcium Reactor Calcium Reactors are pretty simple to build, and the concept is easy so any needed modifications are easy to do as well. The idea is to create an area of low pH (6.5 -6.6) and circulate water through aragonite in this area. CO2 canisters and regulators can be be gotten at a welding supply. Better CO2 regulators might be found at a store that sells home brewery supplies. One that will regulate smaller pressures works best. A check valve is put between the co2 regulator and the "t" in the water line. The input comes from the tank or sump and is mixed with co2 and then enters the reactor. By placing the input next to the intake of the powerhead, it gets sucked into it and forced to the bottom of the reactor. The powerhead keeps water circulating in the reactor. It doesn't require a big one. A very small amount of water moves between the tank and the reactor, so it works best with another "t" placed in the output of your pump. You will also need a valve between the " t" in the water line and the "t" where the co2 comes in so you can adjust the flow. All this is done with clear airline tubing so that you can count the bubbles of co2. A bubble every second or so is a good start. The rate of flow through the reactor should me around 1 ml per 2 second to start and adjust from there. After you have it going at the above rate you will need to monitor it closely to get it adjusted properly. Good circulation in the sump will help any excess co2 from lowering you pH but you should watch it. A pH monitor is almost a must. Keep track of you calcium and alkalinity. If the ca, or alk levels drop ,increase the flow through it a little. Then adjust the pH in you reactor to keep it around 6.6, if you get your pH to low in your reactor it will be milky coming out and turn your aquarium milky. For those number crunching maniacs out there, calculate the rate you use calcium and alkalinity in your tank . Then measure the output from your reactor for ca. and alk.

WOW, I guess that I need to be very careful what I say, so that it is not taken out of context. When I say " What I am looking or is instant color to plan rock that re not colorful". What is not to say that I will buy everything that I can to add all of the color right now. And as for the lighting, (MY STUPID) I miss spoke again about the K rating. Live and learn Kevin

Hey Aqua, What lighting do you have?

Hey, Is there a common rule of the saltwater thumb on how often, or how much of a water change to do for a 90 GAL w/ 45 GAL Sump/Refugium? So far I have not had a problem with water params. in the past 4-6 week of my tank being set-up. I have several filter feeders, more then fish, and a bang-up clean-up crew that are staying right on top of things. My skimmer is working and not pulling hardly anything out. My refugium is full of cheato, and other micro-alge. This is very early in the game I know, but besides the green hair alge and the red hair alge I have only had patches of brown on my live sand bed weeks ago. but now the emarald crabs and blue leg hermits have eaten all of that. Should I then do a 10% - 20% water change or what? My flame scallops ( I know, don't have flame scallops) are doing awesome, the color is bright and they have taken up shop in their own territory and move from place to place every few to several days. I also have (1) green carpet and (4) bubble tips and that are very happy and are feeding most of the time. I just hate to play with it too much and screw things up. Thanks in advance Kevin

I am told that any soft corals will do well, and probably ant LPS (Large Polyp Stony) corals. Unless you are planning on adding SPS corals will work in my tank with the lighting that I have. Would anyone be willing to sell small starts for a far price to a newbie. I will be at the meeting on Sunday at Jasons store, and I would like to make prior plans with you, as I am married and carry little cash. If you have anything, and are willing to help out a new reef addict, please send me a PM with details and photos of what you have if possible. Thanks in advance Kevin (laugh)

Hi, Jay I was very happy that I even had anyone show-up, it was small , but very nice as a newbie to get any interest or support for my idea. Well, it was fjdog, both 180's Bob and Brandy and myself. I was unsure how many would show, but brunch by the fire was nice, and the food and company was fun. I am planning another "Meet And Greet" really soon. A more family friendly location may be my next idea, one where members with children of any age will be able to attend. One of my other problems was time of day, and the work shifts to juggle. These are both issues that I knew that I would have a problem with. That is why this next one will be late afternoon/early evening. I will plan it for a Sunday afternoon, and do a location that I can get a larger box of time at with a kids indoor play area. I would like for you to be able to attend the next one if that is possible. I will plan it and post it well in advance. I noticed that adult beverages are a big hit with some members. So I am looking into a really big pizza parlor with an indoor play room. it has a big gas fire place, the best pizza, salad bar, and great cold beer and wine for those looking for that. I am planning to be at the meeting at Jasons on Sunday to meet more members from around different areas. And I am hoping to get a larger turn-out the next time. Thanks for your time, and interest in what I have tried to do in my local area to become involved. Kevin

I am looking for things that can be added to my display tank with this lighting configuration.(scratch) What I am looking for is instant color to plain rocks that are not colorful. Is there something that can be added such as softies, feather dusters, leathers, etc. My tank is doing awesome, water params. are all checked daily, or everyother day and have remained stable. I am wanting any and all information that will help me make a more informed choice in selection in the future when additions are made to my tank. I would welcome your ideas Thanks Kevin

Do emerald crab eat any benifical growth off of live rock? I spotted tonight a large emerald in my tank pinching off good size chunks of rock that had purple alge growth off of my rocks, is this normal? Thanks Kevin

I am interested, but you photo is very unclear as to what rocks are still for sale. I am looking for rock of all sizes to finish my 90 GAL and my 45 GAL sump/refugium. Please PM me, as I am starting my second tank after only a month. I am looking for live rock, live sand, and old corals of many size and shape. Thanks Kevin

I would like to extend an invite to all members and new comers to the hobby whether or not your a member. If you have an interest in Saltwater Aquariums or the hobby I have set up a time at 11:00 AM to meet on Sunday Feb. 10th. That is in the morning, I hope you can make it. Elmer's Resturant 2802 Santiam Hwy SE Albany, Oregon I would like to see what level of interest is out there. This is the first of many to come, and I plan on it being at different locations every time. Hey, I hope to see you there, Kevin

RSVP's For Albany/Corvallis/Salem/Surrounding Areas Yes, I am very surprised that I have received 6-8 comfirmed RSVP replies. I will name a few of they, 180Brandy and 180Bob from Corvallis, as well as a Salem and an Albany member. The two 180's RSVP'ed as 3 attending. I am thinking that the number will be a small as 4 and as many as 6-8 for this time. I have also invited FISHYMAN of Albany's Amazing Aquarium, I have not gotten as RSVP as of yet. I hope that you will attend, I assure you that you will not be alone, and the drive will not be a waste. I am new to this hobby and I don't want to feel as I am in it alone in my area, as I will only plan to drive to Portland 2 or 3 times a year. So I have taken it upon myself to try an start local "Meet And Greet". I am willing to have it hosted in Albany, Corvallis, Salem from time to time. I am just willing to start by "Hosting" the first one. The next "Meet And Greet" can be is Salem, or Corvallis. I just am looking to get a group together that can meet once a month or so and have someone local to have an interest with, share in a hobby together, or do a group project. Hope to see you there, Kevin

You are invited to attend the first of many "Meet And Greet" get togethers on Sunday Feb 10th @ 11:00 AM At Elmers Resturant 2802 Santiam Hwy SE Albany, Oregon Come and meet members from your area that you have not met yet, and have brunch together. We are planning to two be there for a block of about two hours time. I hope to see you there. Kevin

Hi Bob, I hope to see you at Elmers on Sunday Feb 10th at 11 AM Thanks Kevin

Albany/Corvallis/Salem Area "Meet And Greet" For those interested in meeting in these cities and surroundind areas here is the location of our first of many to come. Elmers Resturant 2802 Santiam Hwy SE Albany, OR 97322-5253 (541) 928-4227 This is the first of many opportunitis to meet, I am looking for members that are willing to meet and strengthen our local member support. Thanks Kevin